IMR 800X For 45ACP

OverPressure · October 25, 2014, 01:51 AM

I bought a couple lbs of 800X about six months ago and loaded 3 different
45acp rds. 6.2 gr chrono 780fps, 6.6gr 810fps and 7.1 gr at 850+fps.
Lots of large unburnt particles in the barrel and inside the slide and frame
of my Gold Cup. I loaded a box of the 7.1 gr and after taking the gun apart
decided i would have to give 800X some more time, but was busy with
other projects so for a few months I shot what i had loaded on my bench.

I could feel
the velocity differential with this 7.1 gr load of 800X but didn't chrono any
of the box i loaded.

The above chrono graph was shooting a dozen rds off the deck at time of year when no hunting
seasons were open and the only shooting going on is when someone greases
an occasional coyote. Allowable!!!

I decided to give 800X some attention after my success with turning Green
Dot with a 200gr LSWC into an excellent accuracy rd. Ok here are some
800X stats.

6.2 gr. of 800X with a 200gr SNS LSWC
One Ply of a paper towel 5/8 Square as Wadding against the powder charge.
OAL 1.25" Winchester LPP

55*

844 fps
800 fps
837 fps
802 fps
810 fps

I went into this thinking i could get the spread to 20 or so but it was
42. What i liked about it was i couldn't feel the spread shooting this
and it was 1" group at 10 yards. I only loaded 15 so i couldn't shoot
25 yards.

The gun was much cleaner, instead of unburned chips there were a few
tiny balls in the barrel. The indication i see is that the wadding raise the
pressure, increase the velocity by 39fps and left the slide and frame
alot cleaner. This is a nice rd.

6.6 gr. 800X with a 200gr SNS LSWC
One ply 5/8 square paper towel wadding against the powder charge
OAL 1.25" Winchester LPP

882 fps
845 fps
877 fps
897 fps
865 fps

This load without the wadding chrono graphed at 810 fps , the average
with the wadding was 873 fps. I notice the same tiny particles in the
barrel, but very few. No Unburnt Chips!!! What was interesting is when
i shot ten rds at 10 yards and then checked the barrel it was clean.

I liked the 6.2 gr load better and will load a box and shoot 25 yards next
week when i go to the range.

That little paper wad changed the way 800X performed. At 6.2 gr. I am
a little light when checking lees manual, they say 6.4gr 791fps , close
enough. I think this powder wants to shoot a little higher velocity and
pressure, but i like how the 6.2 gr load feels.

You guys shooting hotter loads may want to try this powder if you can't get
your favorites.

Let there be no mistakes about it, when clays comes back i am going back
to loading 300 rds an hr. I am not in love with all this extra work, but i
i like performance.

sawdustdad · October 25, 2014, 08:04 AM

That's great info, Overpressure. Thanks for posting. I tried 800x in my 9mm, with 115g plated bullet at max load I was still getting unburned flakes ejected with the case, but accuracy seemed quite good, though I do not have a chrono so no hard data like you have. I'd probably do better with a heavier bullet, but that's what I have. Have since been able to get some faster pistol powder, so I probably won't be loading any more 9mm with 800x.

October 25, 2014, 01:51 AM	#1
OverPressure Member Join Date: March 11, 2013 Location: Langley WA Posts: 66	IMR 800X For 45ACP I bought a couple lbs of 800X about six months ago and loaded 3 different 45acp rds. 6.2 gr chrono 780fps, 6.6gr 810fps and 7.1 gr at 850+fps. Lots of large unburnt particles in the barrel and inside the slide and frame of my Gold Cup. I loaded a box of the 7.1 gr and after taking the gun apart decided i would have to give 800X some more time, but was busy with other projects so for a few months I shot what i had loaded on my bench. I could feel the velocity differential with this 7.1 gr load of 800X but didn't chrono any of the box i loaded. The above chrono graph was shooting a dozen rds off the deck at time of year when no hunting seasons were open and the only shooting going on is when someone greases an occasional coyote. Allowable!!! I decided to give 800X some attention after my success with turning Green Dot with a 200gr LSWC into an excellent accuracy rd. Ok here are some 800X stats. 6.2 gr. of 800X with a 200gr SNS LSWC One Ply of a paper towel 5/8 Square as Wadding against the powder charge. OAL 1.25" Winchester LPP 55* 844 fps 800 fps 837 fps 802 fps 810 fps I went into this thinking i could get the spread to 20 or so but it was 42. What i liked about it was i couldn't feel the spread shooting this and it was 1" group at 10 yards. I only loaded 15 so i couldn't shoot 25 yards. The gun was much cleaner, instead of unburned chips there were a few tiny balls in the barrel. The indication i see is that the wadding raise the pressure, increase the velocity by 39fps and left the slide and frame alot cleaner. This is a nice rd. 6.6 gr. 800X with a 200gr SNS LSWC One ply 5/8 square paper towel wadding against the powder charge OAL 1.25" Winchester LPP 882 fps 845 fps 877 fps 897 fps 865 fps This load without the wadding chrono graphed at 810 fps , the average with the wadding was 873 fps. I notice the same tiny particles in the barrel, but very few. No Unburnt Chips!!! What was interesting is when i shot ten rds at 10 yards and then checked the barrel it was clean. I liked the 6.2 gr load better and will load a box and shoot 25 yards next week when i go to the range. That little paper wad changed the way 800X performed. At 6.2 gr. I am a little light when checking lees manual, they say 6.4gr 791fps , close enough. I think this powder wants to shoot a little higher velocity and pressure, but i like how the 6.2 gr load feels. You guys shooting hotter loads may want to try this powder if you can't get your favorites. Let there be no mistakes about it, when clays comes back i am going back to loading 300 rds an hr. I am not in love with all this extra work, but i i like performance.

October 25, 2014, 08:04 AM	#2
sawdustdad Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2014 Location: Virginia Posts: 484	That's great info, Overpressure. Thanks for posting. I tried 800x in my 9mm, with 115g plated bullet at max load I was still getting unburned flakes ejected with the case, but accuracy seemed quite good, though I do not have a chrono so no hard data like you have. I'd probably do better with a heavier bullet, but that's what I have. Have since been able to get some faster pistol powder, so I probably won't be loading any more 9mm with 800x.